Resurrection is a powerful reality in Christian
understanding and theology. The historical reality of Jesus rising from the
dead is the compelling force behind every missionary venture, every journey of
local church renewal, and every story we could celebrate of God’s Kingdom
breaking in among us. I am so grateful for the ways that God is clearly giving
new life among his people in Middle Baptist Association Churches. I want to share a few examples.
Elam Millen – Pastor
Jody Bryant quietly led this congregation to baptize 31 new followers of Jesus
last year. Elam is located in Four Points Community in rural Jenkins County on
the old “Woodpecker Trail”, but their
impact is being felt among their neighbors and as far away as El Salvador and
as near as Savannah where the church regularly travels to feed the homeless.
Jody is leading the church to practice community engagement through child
fostering ministry and caring for “the least of these.”
FBC Springfield
– Pastor Mike Spivey came to a church that was entrenched in turmoil. Following
the death of a beloved pastor of 25 years and a subsequent crisis of identity
and direction, God is using Mike and the members of FBC to reach many new young
families. I love seeing the social media posts, week after week of new families
who are connecting with FBC Springfield.
Rocky Ford – In
a town of fewer than 200 people, the church at Rocky Ford is a great
turn-around story. Mike Johnston, a marine veteran and first time pastor has
seen sustained growth through his first five years of ministry. He recently
travelled with me to the Georgia Baptist Associational Missionary’s retreat to
narrate the story of God’s faithfulness to His church there. Mike also is
engaging the community and County by serving them. Through Mike’s efforts to
patiently know and love the congregation God is consistently adding to His body
there.
Newington – Following
a Baptist Collegiate Ministry retreat at Georgia Southern University recently, Pastor
Aaron Webb is looking at baptizing between 12-15 middle and high school
students on Easter Sunday. I recently preached at NBC on a Sunday morning when
Aaron was down with the flu and the congregation is an amazing phenomenon:
black, white and Hispanic worshipers and an incredible number of school age
children and youth (who were intensely engaged) greeted me. There is a faithful
core group of believers there who God is greatly using to transform their
community.
Pineora – Pineora
recently held a community outreach event (Easter Eggtravaganza with 10k eggs!)
that attracted 557 registered guests from their community (not including the
members of the church who were there in support of the event). These guests
were registered for drawings and give-aways (and follow-up). This was truly a
“low-risk/high grace” event. God is using pastor Brian McElveen and His people
at Pineora in a phenomenal way.
Double Heads – This
congregation recently called a young pastor (Joel Vancil), who at a mere 24
years-of-age has already been used by God to lead a church through
revitalization in his hometown of Sunfield, Illinois. God is leading Joel to
serve Double Heads and continue his education simultaneously at Brewton-Parker
College. I had the opportunity to meet Joel and Alexis, his wife on their
candidating visit and I am so excited for Double Heads! Joel has been connected
to his former association and is committed to cooperative missions.
Conclusion – There
are so many more stories that could be told about God’s work among His
churches. Hopefully we can tell those stories later, too. But here is the main
takeaway for me lately: there is no reason God can’t do this where you are.
There is absolutely nothing preventing God from breaking out in resurrection
power in your church. These communities where God is working are mostly rural,
sometimes (not always) flat-lined population wise. It’s not stopping God from
working (Ephesians 3:20)!
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